» Pak to discontinue special concessions for US officials at Islamabad airport

Pak to discontinue special concessions for US officials at Islamabad airport

Published: Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 14:36 [IST]

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Islamabad, Oct.14 (ANI): Pakistan has decided to discontinue all special concessions that US officials and diplomats used to enjoy at the Islamabad international airport.

Following the Defence Ministry's order, all US officials and diplomats will now have to go through the routine airport checks at Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA).

The ministry has directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to discontinue the special privileges enjoyed by American officials from October 15.

It may be noted that the US officials were not subjected to security checks at the Islamabad airport either during arrival or departure. These concessions were offered to them by the then Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the US.

When enquired about the special concession offered to the US officials and diplomats at the BBIP, US Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said he is not aware of any such allowance being offered.

"What I know is that even when the senior US officials arriving at the Chaklala airbase, have to go through normal immigration and customs checks," The News quoted Snelsire, as saying. (ANI)